Police are tonight hunting a robber who struck as a Bradford sub-post office was about to close for the day.

The incident happened shortly before the post office in Airedale Road was about to close but it is understood the offender fled empty handed.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed the attack on the business happened but released no details about the nature of the incident last night.

Detective Rob Worley, of Bradford District CID, said: "Police received a report of an attempted robbery at the post office in Airedale Road, Bradford, at 5.15pm today.

"An area search was made for the suspect, including the use of a National Police Air Service helicopter. At this stage no arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."

A neighbouring shopworker said the postmaster had given him a 'thumbs up' sign, indicating he was unharmed, after the incident while police investigators worked at the scene.

He had been unaware of the crime until police arrived, he said, and officers armed with carbines were stationed outside the premises immediately after the incident, with "around ten" cars in the area apparently searching for the offender.

There have been several robberies at businesses in the Bradford area in the last few weeks.